Art

08.10.11

Ai Weiwei Takes to Twitter

Zhan min / AP Photo

Ai Weiwei has taken to Twitter to criticize the Chinese government’s detention of his business colleagues. Ai referred to four business colleagues, who he said were “illegally detained because of me.” He said they “suffered huge mental devastation and physical torture.” Ai also expressed support for two Chinese dissidents who were recently detained. In an interview with The New York Times, Ai said he was especially concerned about his colleagues, since they lacked his name recognition and therefore are in greater danger than he was. “If I don’t speak out for them, this is not possible, even though it may bring damage to my condition,” he explained.